CASA: 21 New Child Advocates!

On Feb. 25, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Erika Ziegenhorn swore in 21 community members as Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in foster care.

Each completed the 35-hour training program.

CASA of Santa Cruz County recruits, trains, and supervises volunteer Advocates who are matched one on one with a child in the county’s Dependency and Juvenile Justice court systems advocating for them the entire time they have a case open with the Court which on average is 12 to 18 months.

As officers of the Court, CASA volunteers ensure that the children’s needs are recognized and their best interests are considered in the courtroom, school, and in the community.

You create a lifetime of a difference by sharing at least 2-4 hours a week with one child or youth in our community.

Although there is a great need for bilingual and male volunteers, CASA always encourages people from all cultures and professions and of all ethnic and educational backgrounds to support and learn more.

Currently CASA needs volunteers to support juvenile justice youths!

For more information on how to become a CASA volunteer contact Clarita Cortes at (831) 761-2956, ext. 102, or visit www.casaofsantacruz.org/volunteer

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TOP PHOTO: New CASA Advocates: Elizabeth Cameron, Maria Quiroz, Ari Martinez, Courtney Harrison, Rachel Zuercher, Rachel Fadlovich, Renee Wall, Marisol Arnold, Andrea Reyes, Jose Martinez, Sarah Domondon, Nora Alvord, Abigail Kim, Vanessa Arizmendi, Joscelyn Boudreau, Viviane Perrault, Sheina Rapoport, Brenda Ehle, Ariel Tse-Mckeown, and Mary Jane Reiley.